RADFORD, Va. (WDBJ7) Current flu data is helping nursing students at Radford University understand the sickness and how to treat patients.

This education is important especially now as the Centers for Disease Control reports widespread flu throughout the United Stated.

Those statistics are included in lectures and labs, where students learn how to prevent themselves from getting the sickness.

They also learn how to respond in extreme situations, like widespread local flu sicknesses.

"You may have schools closing and you may have more cases of flu coming into hospital than the hospital can handle and students are trained how those decisions are made about closing a school, closing a facility," said Dr. Erin Cruise, an associate professor.

Students are encouraged to get the flu shot and help give shots during flu season.

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